Donald F. Ruf, age 84, of Monroe, died on Friday, April 8, 2011 at Graceland Manor. He was born on October 9, 1926 in Monroe, Wisconsin the son of Ulrich and Lena (Schneeberger) Ruf and graduated from Orangeville High School. Donald and Ruth Kopp were married on June 3, 1951 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rock Grove, Illinois.
Donald farmed in the Rock Grove area his whole life. A lifelong dairyman, no matter how tired he was, he always felt better when he could milk his cows. Donald enjoyed dancing and playing chess until two or three in the morning with the chess club.
As a merchant marine after WW II, Donald sailed to Italy to distribute horses, clothing and food stuffs through Lutheran World Relief. As a member of the Swiss American Gymnastic Association, he was proud of his ability to complete a giant swing with a fly-away after much work.
He was a member of the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rock Grove, IL, and also served on the Orangeville School Board for 7 years. Donald enjoyed travelling and was able to visit relatives in Switzerland over the years. In retirement he travelled to over 30 US states and Canada.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Monroe, son; Chris of Sterling, IL., daughters: Carol (Paul) Knier of Oshkosh, Susan (Donald) Lawver of Freeport, IL, Ellen (Larry) Faist of Cheswick, PA; twin sister, Dorothy (Harold) Albert of Freeport, IL., Grandchildren: Valerie Bilgri-Holm of Romania, Eric Lawver of Dakota, IL, Karen Lawver of Chicago, IL, Nancy (Kevin) Rummel of German Valley, IL, Mark and Peter Ruf of Machesney Park, IL, Emma and Anna Faist of Cheswick, PA, Stepgrandaughter Rachel Kneir of Oshkosh, WI and a great granddaughter, Elise Rummel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Walter, sister; Alice Monte, half sisters Ida Shelton and Marie Jones.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home 1455 Mansion Dr., and 18th Ave., with Reverend Dan Bohlman officiating. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will be in Frankenberger cemetery, on Walnut Grove Rd, Rock Grove township, Illinois. A memorial has been established for the Orangeville Education Foundation.
Donald farmed in the Rock Grove area his whole life. A lifelong dairyman, no matter how tired he was, he always felt better when he could milk his cows. Donald enjoyed dancing and playing chess until two or three in the morning with the chess club.
As a merchant marine after WW II, Donald sailed to Italy to distribute horses, clothing and food stuffs through Lutheran World Relief. As a member of the Swiss American Gymnastic Association, he was proud of his ability to complete a giant swing with a fly-away after much work.
He was a member of the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, former member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Rock Grove, IL, and also served on the Orangeville School Board for 7 years. Donald enjoyed travelling and was able to visit relatives in Switzerland over the years. In retirement he travelled to over 30 US states and Canada.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Monroe, son; Chris of Sterling, IL., daughters: Carol (Paul) Knier of Oshkosh, Susan (Donald) Lawver of Freeport, IL, Ellen (Larry) Faist of Cheswick, PA; twin sister, Dorothy (Harold) Albert of Freeport, IL., Grandchildren: Valerie Bilgri-Holm of Romania, Eric Lawver of Dakota, IL, Karen Lawver of Chicago, IL, Nancy (Kevin) Rummel of German Valley, IL, Mark and Peter Ruf of Machesney Park, IL, Emma and Anna Faist of Cheswick, PA, Stepgrandaughter Rachel Kneir of Oshkosh, WI and a great granddaughter, Elise Rummel.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Walter, sister; Alice Monte, half sisters Ida Shelton and Marie Jones.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home 1455 Mansion Dr., and 18th Ave., with Reverend Dan Bohlman officiating. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will be in Frankenberger cemetery, on Walnut Grove Rd, Rock Grove township, Illinois. A memorial has been established for the Orangeville Education Foundation.